Program description
Master - Marine Biotechnology
120 ECTS Tromsø
Based on Forskrift om studier og eksamener ved Universitetet i Tromsø – Norges arktiske universitet of 01.08.2020
The program description has been approved by the board of the Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics on 01.01.22
Informasjon om denne malen (NB: teksten på denne siden er tatt med kun som veiledning, og må slettes fra den endelig versjonen av studieplanen).
• All utfyllende informasjon og veiledning finnes i den norske malen (bokmål) for
utarbeidelse av studieplaner. Den veiledende teksten er utarbeidet med utgangspunkt i NOKUTs veiledning om akkreditering av studietilbud (mai 2017), samt forskrift om tilsyn med utdanningskvaliteten i høyere utdanning (februar 2017). Ved behov for ytterligere utdyping og veiledning til de enkelte punktene, anbefales det å legge de samme kildene til grunn.
Forsiden er utarbeidet i henhold til UiTs grafiske profil. Overordnet ansvar for UiTs visuelle profil er lagt til Seksjon for studentrekruttering, marked og grafiske tjenester.
Malen er sist oppdatert avAvdeling for forskning, utdanning og formidling 17. september 2019.
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Study programme name
Marine Biotechnology - master Degree obtained
Master of Science in Marine Biotechnology
Target group The program aims at students with a background in science with special focus on biotechnology, and with interests in working with molecules, peptides or enzymes from e.g. marine organisms.
Admission
requirements, required prerequisite,
recommended
prerequisite knowledge
Admission to the MSc in Marine Biotechnology requires a bachelor's degree in biotechnology, marine biotechnology or equivalent education. An average grade of equivalent to C or better in the Norwegian grading system is required.
Required background in Biotechnology:
• In-depth specialization at the 2000 level (2nd-3rd year) in the following subjects; chemistry, biochemistry,
microbiology, molecular biology, methods in molecular biology and biotechnology (min. 10 credits in each
subject)
• The in-depth specialization must amount to 80 credits in total
• Lack of in-depth specialization in one of these 2000 topics can be compensated by a strong background in one or more of the other topics
Formal admission requirements - Master's level
Are you an international applicant? Read more here.
The program has 15 places available each year. Applicants are prioritized by average grade on subjects included in
the in-depth specialisation from the bachelor degree.
Certificate of good conduct
Not required.
Suitability assessment Not required.
The study programme’s Learning Outcome
On completion of the program, a successful candidate is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge gained:
• Advanced knowledge about scientific theory and practice related to modern molecular biology, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry in the context of marine biology and/or microbiology
• A general overview of current applications in marine and traditional biotechnology carried out within industry, academia, and public sectors
• An understanding of ethics and the responsibility for sustainable resource utilization as they are applied to industry and academic research and innovation
• The basic knowledge over quantitative aspects of natural biological operations, bioprocess engineering and the design-build-test cycle of bioengineering
• A basic understanding of natural marine resources as the basis for developing food, biochemicals, bioactive
compounds and medicines Skills:
• Quantitative problem-solving skills in the context of biochemistry, bioprocess design/operation, analytical chemistry, and synthetic biology
• Basic theoretical and hands-on laboratory skills in marine biology, molecular biology, bioprocess operation and analytical chemistry
• Interdisciplinary communication skills that enable students to combine different disciplines so that they can effectively collaborate in teams to solve a wide range of technical problems
• Basic project management skills gained through the process of completing individual and team-oriented research tasks within industrial and/or academic research environments
General competence:
• The ability to apply contemporary and interdisciplinary knowledge towards biotechnological research, innovation and/or industrial actions, particularly within the marine sector
• A general ability to contribute towards natural resource- based industry, research or policy making
• The qualifications for admission to PhD programmes in biotechnology and related specialist fields that could include molecular biology, synthetic biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, industrial engineering, or analytical
chemistry Academic content and
discription of the study programme
Objectives, content and organization
The purpose is to educate candidates in modern biotechnological expertise, with particular empasis on use of marine resources,
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materials. You will qualify for careers in fields such as marine value creation, innovation and research.
A good marine biotechnologist must have a broad base of knowledge and skills in basic molecular biology, chemistry and techniques and processes that use marine micro-organisms, plant and animal cells, or parts of these, to manufacture, develop or modify commercially useful products. On successful completion of the programme, the degree of MSc in Marine Biotechnology is awarded.
Table: programme structure
Term 10 ECTS 10 ECTS 10 ECTS
Term 1 Autumn, starts ca.
10 August
BIO-3610 Industrial Biotechno-logy
BIO-3612 Marine bio- prospecting and bioactive compounds
BIO-3615 Quantitative Microbial
Biotechnology I Term 2
Spring, Option to go abroad
Elective course
Elective course
BIO-3901 Master’s thesis (10 ECTS)
Term 3 Autumn
Elective course If you went abroad in term 2: BIO-3901 (10 ECTS)
BIO-3901
Master’s thesis (20 ECTS)
Term 4 Spring
BIO-3901 Master’s thesis (30 ECTS)
Learning activites, examination and assessment
• Lectures
• Laboratory
• Research cruise
• Seminars
• Submitting assignements
• Presentations of literature or assigments
• Study groups organized by lecturers
• Study groups organized by students
• Reflection exercises The study programme’s
relevance
The job opportunities are many and varied. With skills and qualifications in marine biotechnology, you will be sought after locally, nationally and internationally. The Norwegian
Government's High North strategy highlights marine
biotechnology as one of the most important disciplines for the future of the economy. The field is growing rapidly and highly
qualified candidates are in demand.
Your Master degree has equipped you with sound expertise in biology and chemistry, which will provide you with opportunities in biotechnological industries, in fields such as production of seafood and other foodstuffs, and laboratory-based
specialisations.
With an MSc in Marine Biotechnology you can also become a product developer, principal engineer, researcher, company manager, entrepreneur or public administrator. The course qualifies students for management-level jobs in the expanding and innovative commercial biotechnology sector.
Our graduated students work as PhD's at the University, teachers, and in different companies like: Colifast, Pharmaq, Mowi, Nofima, Ayanda, GenØk, Nordic Pharma Inc, Akvaplan-Niva, TosLab and ArcticZymes.
Work scope The study programme is delivered using a variety of teaching methods, depending on the subject. The teaching plan may include lectures, seminars, laboratory work, working in teams, fieldwork and industrial visits - or preferably a combination.
For some of the subjects, specific work requirements may have to be met prior to exam entry. There may be compulsory
requirements to submit reports and assignments and attend teaching seminars.
Supervised thesis writing and
professional training
Individual tutoring is provided for the master's thesis by the department's scientific staff.
Language of instruction and examination
The language of instruction is in English and all of the syllabus material is in English. Examination questions will be given in English, but may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language.
Internationalisation and student exchange
A one-semester stay abroad may be included as part of the curriculum in the second semester. Such stays can provide you with professionally valuable technical, linguistic and cultural experiences, as well as lifelong memories.
Administrative responsibility and academic responsibility
Administrative responsibility: Administrative staff of the department of the College of Fishery Science
Academic responsibility: The head of the study program and the progral council.
Quality assurance The study program is evaluated annually by the student representatives, the lecturers, the head of the study program.
The courses included in the study program are evaluated at least
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one time during a three-year period. Course evaluation is organized by the lecturers and may include extensive contributions from students in the evaluation.
Other regulations For access to laboratory wings the HMS-0501 and HMS-0504 (both web-based modules) must be fulfilled as soon as possible during the first semester.
